Treviso 19 – 34 Connacht

2 years ago

Connacht put in a clinical performance this afternoon in Italy to win round 16 of the Guinness PRO12, defeating Treviso by 34 points to 19.

It was fifteen minutes before the first points were scored with inside centre Craig Ronaldson stepping up to slot a penalty between the posts. He was up to the tee again five minutes later to make it 6 – 0 before Man of the Match Caolin Blade ran in for the opening try on 27 minutes. Ronaldson converted and four minutes later Ireland International prop Finlay Bealham was through for the second try having spotted a gap in the Treviso defense – Ronaldson made it four from four from with the conversion kick.

The hosts got through for their first score three minutes before the break with wing Andrea Buondonno diving over in left the corner. A Danie Poolman try was disallowed on 40 minutes after the touch judge deemed Jack Carty to have knocked on in the lead up.

Half time: Treviso 5 – 20 Connacht

Connacht were first on the score board in the second half with Ronaldson pouncing on a perfectly weighted grubber kick from Carty. The centre converted his own try and was shortly replaced by Tom Farrell after an impressive outing.

The bonus point was wrapped up on the hour mark with Irish international fullback Tiernan O’Halloran marking his 26th birthday with a stunning step inside the 22 where he fought off two defenders to touch down. Carty converted and Connacht led 34 – 5 with 20 minutes remaining at Stadio Monigo.

There were wholesale changes for both sides and the final ten minutes will disappoint Pat Lam’s men who let the hosts in for two converted tries – their fullback Luca Sperandio and replacement wing David Odiete touching down.